שבירה ShevirahXVIIIThe Beginning of Wisdom
R. Aryeh Leib Lifkin · after Ramchal and the Gra20 rules

כללי התחלת החכמהThe Beginning of Wisdom.

A primer of 226 rules for one beginning the wisdom — from the sefirot and the Names,
through the breaking and the repair, to the day His Name is One.

The Sefirot and Their Conducts

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  1. Iרק בבחינת פעולותיוKnown Only Through DeedsOf the Endless we speak only of what His hands have done.
  2. IIחסד דין רחמיםKindness, Judgment, MercyOne hand gives, one hand weighs; the middle path holds both.
  3. IIIעיגולים ויושרCircles and UprightnessRings for the whole world, a straight line for each soul.
  4. IVכתר נקרא איןThe Hidden CrownThe crown is not yet worn; its weight already shapes the head.

The Partzufim and the Divine Names

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  1. VפרצוףThe Full StatureEvery limb a world, every deed a thread running through them.
  2. VIמיעוט הירח ומילואהThe Waning MoonShe shrinks to a point when we forget, fills when we remember.
  3. VIIלפי מעשי אני נקראNamed by His DeedsThe light never changes; only the name we catch it by.
  4. VIIIע״ב ס״ג מ״ה ב״ןFour Spellings of the NameSpell the Name out, and its filling tells how it will rule.

Lights, Vessels, Chaos and Repair

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  1. IXתוכחת מגולה ואהבה מסותרתLove Clothed in RebukeLook past the hard garment: the hand inside is love.
  2. Xאור פנימי ומקיףInner and Surrounding LightWhat we hold, what slips back, what never enters yet surrounds.
  3. XIואלה המלכיםThe Kings Who DiedSeven kings fell lower, none vanished; the eighth carried mercy.
  4. XIIבצלם אלקיםRepair and the ImageMercy stitched into judgment draws the outline of an image.

The Union of Mercy and Judgment

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  1. XIIIרחל ולאהRachel and LeahA crown raised by choice outshines one forced by wonders.
  2. XIVמיין נוקביןWaters Rising from BelowTruth rises from the ground; goodness answers from above.

From Tzimtzum to Eternity

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  1. XVסוף מעשה במחשבה תחלהThe End Thought FirstThe end was planted first; every age is its branch.
  2. XVIצמצום וקוWithdrawal and the RayHe made room by holding back, then sent one thread of light.
  3. XVIIמשל הםAll of It ParableAn almond rod was shown; the rod was never the message.

The Created Worlds and the Other Side

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  1. XVIIIשבעה היכלותSeven Palaces of CreationSeven gates of created light; a prayer climbs them one by one.
  2. XIXסטרא אחראThe Other SideThe husk guards the fruit by trying to steal it.
  3. XXה׳ אחד ושמו אחדHis Name Will Be OneWhen judgment is fully softened, nothing remains to oppose.